IE8 and Adobe Flash Player Problems

Are you having trouble with Internet Explorer version 8? Applications and videos not playing? When you try to download the newest version of Adobe Flash Player, it downloads fine, but then you application still doesn't work. Don't worry, you're not doing anything wrong. I found lots of posts that others were having the same problem. Apparently, the newest version of Internet Explorer (version 8) is not compatible with the latest Adobe Flash Player. If you have an earlier version of Internet Explorer, you should be fine, and I would recommend waiting to download 8 until this problem is resolved. I've read that Microsoft is working on it, but I've not heard an ETA for when it will be resolved. I had the same problem and the solution I recommend (it worked for me) is to change your web browser. Internet Explorer is not the only one available. I switched to Google Chrome and have had no problems.

To install the newest Adobe Flash Player to Google Chrome, follow these steps:

1. Open Chrome and go to the Adobe download page, or just, from your application, Chrome gives the message to add plug-in, click on it.

2. The Adobe Flash Player then downloads to you.

3. You get a message saying that to continue you must close Chrome. Do this. I thought that if I closed my browser it would disconnect me from the internet, and the download would cut off. This is not true. Just close the browser, and a message appears telling you the installation is complete.

4. Reopen Chrome and return to you application. It should work now.

If you are still having difficulties, there are pages to help, but they didn't work for me. Just type in your search box something similar to "download Adobe Flash Player to Google Chrome". There are a few sites to visit that have alternative solutions. One site recommended "tricking" Chrome into downloading by extracting files through winzip. You can try this, but it did not work for me. If your YouTube videos and applications are not working, do not dispair. Just follow the above listed steps and you should be fine. I've also heard of people using Firefox instead of Internet Explorer or Google Chrome. An alternative web browser to Internet Explorer 8 is my suggestion. Good Luck!

Online Work From Home Scams

Work from home. Make $5,000 a month using Google. Secrets to your website success. Sound familiar? Catch phrases are always what draws us in, but is there any substance behind it? Who wouldn't like to have extra cash or even replace thier income by just staying home and working in their pajamas? Today's economy sucks, and as far as I can tell, nothing is going to save us any time soon. Just paying all the monthly bills and maybe having something left to eat on is getting impossible. I was/still am looking for an easy way to make a little extra income. Get rich quick scams never work. So, how is an average mom, like me, who's willing to put in the work to get the results supposed to figure all of it out? I started looking online for some way to make extra money from home. So, free trials sound pretty good, right? I decided to try a few. After signing up and entering all of my personal info, I started to get phone calls. Monthly fees are going to apply for all your services (ie. web hosting, an auto responder, fees to accept credit cards, etc.). The first guy was just separating the "serious from the curious." I was extreemly skeptical, so, I was just "curious." The second guy got a little farther, this time I was "serious." After going through two phone interviews, my husband had to get on the line with me to prove how supportive he was going to be. The "senior salesguy" talked with my husband and me for 2 hours. We had made it through the interview process, and we were going to be a "good fit" with their company. The deal was that I was going to get my own website for sales, and an aution site on e-bay. They have an "exclusive" deal with e-bay. All we had to do was invest a minimum $4,ooo, or we could invest more to make a "bigger" success. At the end of the interview, my husband told the guy that we needed at least a day or two to make a final decision. Clearly, this was the wrong thing to say. This guy told us that if we couldn't give him an immediate investment of $4,000, he would have to reject us as customers. After some choice words that can't be repeated here, my husband said thank you and ended up hanging up on the guy. If someone doesn't believe in their product enough to wait a day or two for someone to invest a decent chunk of change., then it probably is a scam, and they can just go ahead and offer this deal to the next person waiting in the wings. My husband works for himself. He knows that he has a quality product, and if someone wants to wait to make a decision before buying what he sells (mostly hedge posts and firewood in case your wondering) then he has no problem with that. He fully expects poeple to do their research and inspect the product before they buy. At first, I thought that I just missed my only oppertunity to make money online, but after calming down a litte, I realized that he just saved us $4,000 that we would never be able to repay (at least for a couple of years). Now, I am so grateful! I still haven't found any way to make enough money to work in my pj's, but scams are not worth it! If anyone can make money online, then why are they a telemarketer instead of doing it themselves? I'm not opposed to more phone calls or ideas of how to make a successful business (one that lets me sleep at night because I know its honest), but these scams are a real deterrant. So, just remember to trust your gut (or your husband) if it sound too good to be true, IT IS! Don't just hand over your hard earned money. If you worked hard for it, make them work for it too. If you get a call like this -HANG UP!

The Magic House Children's Museum

The Magic House Children's Museum

The Magic House is a great place for kids. As I said in my overview blog, The Magic House is not just all about magic. It cost us about $8.50 for an adult admission, and with the coupon, the kids got in free. The staff was very friendly and helpful there. At the desk where you enter they had maps to take with you and a large map on the wall to tell you where you were and how to get to where you wanted to go. We started out on one side where we learned all about plants, and the kids even got to climb up into a soybean. There was an interactive art display where you could create your own art right on the wall. It was also fun to play detective and use clues to determine fake art from the real thing. The best thing about the Magic House is that everything was touchable. In the music room, we learned all about how to make music in new and interesting ways, even by just sitting. My boys liked playing bank teller, learning about electricity and even playing at anchorman on kids TV. There were whole rooms dedicated to different activities, and all of it is hands on. From painting, building with tools, looking at specimens under a microscope, and even water activities, there was never a lack for something to touch. My boys especially enjoyed the Lewis and Clark area. The adventure was more than my mother and I were expecting, but we wouldn't change a thing. You can fully expect to spend a whole day exploring and discovering at the Magic House. There truly is something for everyone. Another activity my boys particularly liked was following a fishing lure down a stream and catching it with their poles. Despite a large crowd, there was room and opportunity to fully explore all there was to offer. This is definitely a trip worth repeating. More attractions to follow...

Family Vacation to St. Louis, MO

Planning a family trip?
Got any ideas as to where?
It's hard enough to plan time to take a vacation, choosing where to go should be the easy part. If you're considering a trip to St. Louis, here are some ideas about where to go while you're there. As a former St. Louis native, it was easy to decide to visit family and friends, but for an active family, I wanted places to go that my children would remember and possibly want to revisit.

The Gateway Arch: St. Louis is known as the gateway to the west. The arch is a symbol of this and most pictures of St. Louis feature it. This trip I elected to avoid the arch. I have been up in the arch several times, but I was unimpressed. Maybe growing up in St. Louis has spoiled me for this adventure, but the idea of paying to wait in a long line with three children to ride an elevator to the top was particularly unappealing. The top of the arch is small, the windows for viewing are small and I've seen better pictures on post cards. It's usaully crowded and the windows are hard to get to. Once you've seen the view, there's nothing to do, but ride back down in another elevator - at least they have seats. I do recommend the museum in the base of the arch. It is filled with hours worth of memorabilia, and last I went, it was free.

The St. Louis Zoo: St. Louis has always had a top ranked zoo in the country. After just one visit I can definately see why. As of yet the zoo is free to enter. You can purchase a Safari pass at the entrance for $10. This allows you to ride the train, enter the children's zoo and see the sea lion show. Most other attractions within the zoo cost extra, but it is still free to walk through and see all the animals. Stroller rental is available too. I would include a trip to the zoo on any visit to St. Louis.

The Science Center and Planatarium: It had been many years since I last visited the Science Center and thought it was worth another look. I am glad we did. Almost everything in the Science Center is kid friendly and hands on. The Science Center is free to enter, but there is a parking fee. The Omnimax is inside and you have to purchase a ticket. They always seem to have a new feature playing. This would probably work for older children, but younger ones would be more entertained with all the exhibits. From dinosaurs to outer space, the science center is a great place to explore.

The Magic House Children's Museum: The Magic House is not all about magic or tricks. This is a totally hands on multi-level attraction. I recommend a visit for anyone with children. There is an entry fee, but it's not too bad. When we visited it was very crowded, but there was just so much to see and do that the crowd didn't matter.

Six Flags over Mid America: The cost of this is a little scary. There is a parking fee in addition to the admission fee. They have a section dedicated to smaller children, but there isn't much else there for them. Most of the rides have a height restriction. Older children would love Six Flags. There are also carnival games to play (extra cost of course). If you're not afraid to spend a pretty penny, six flags will provide an exhausting day for all. Also, this theme park is not exactly in St. Louis. It's located south on I-44 in Eureka.

Meramec Caverns: As long as you're heading south on I-44, you may as well continue to Stanton, Mo. Meramec Caverns is a famed hideout of Jesse James. I think it was worth the drive. The cost of an adult tour is $18. They provide an 80 minute walking tour of the caverns. There are no strollers for this tour. The cave is cool even in warm weather, so a jacket would help. If you don't have one, the gift shop out front sells sweat shirts and hoodies in all sizes. We really enjoyed this excursion.

City Museum: We didn't make it to this site on this visit, but we enjoyed it the last time we were there. There is much to do for the children and lots of huge slides. There is an entry fee for this attraction. Children of most ages - maybe not the older teens so much - would enjoy the City Museum.

Cahokia Mounds: Cahokia Mounds is over in Illinois. The last time I was there was back in 1990. It was really cool to learn so much about the Indians who lived there. Climbing the largest mound was a real challenge, but the top was gratefully attained. I've heard they've revamped the place since I was last there, so it may be worth a side trip.

Grant's Farm: The future of Grant's Farm seems uncertain as of now. The last time I was there, the kids loved it. You take a train through the farm and get to see the esteemed president Grant's cabin. After the train ride, there are animal exhibits and neat shows. The pride of Anheiser-Bush, the clidesdales are housed here. They have a good home at Grant's Farm. Since the brewery sold though, no one seems to know what will happen to Grant's Farm. Sadly, I have heard that the horse farm will be closed. I would call ahead to check times and openings if you plan to visit here.

All in all St. Louis offers many things to do and places to see no matter how long or short of a trip you plan. Even if you just want to walk the riverfront and Laclede's Landing, there is always something going on. This is a family vacation to be repeated.
If you're looking for some discounts, I would visit the printable coupon page: http://www.familyattractionscard.com/ or visit any Dierberg's, Shop 'n Save or Schnucks and ask for a family attractions card there.
I plan to expand more on some of the specific sites I visited in my future blogs...stay tuned.